Near Helston, TR13 0RD
Tel: (01326) 222170
Email: penrose@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/penrose
Cornwall's largest natural lake
The National Trust now owns the Penrose Estate which stretches from Loe Bar and the outskirts of Porthleven to Helston.
The Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, is cut off from the sea by the beach which is a broad shingle bar heaped up by heavy Atlantic seas. The River Cober runs into it after passing close to Helston. The surrounding Penrose Estate is a mixture of rich farmland and woodland around Loe Pool, through which there are many paths to explore. Take some time to visit the church of St. Winwalloe, which huddles low against the wind in the lee of a rocky headland at Church Cove. Either side of this headland are two sandy coves and the Gunwalloe valley reed-bed provides a haven for a wide variety of bird-life.
Penrose house consists of an irregular square plan ranged around a small courtyard with 17th-century U-shaped plan front to the north-west. The 17th-century country house was constructed for the Penrose family, probably for John Penrose who died in 1679; remodelled and extended from c. 1788 for John Rogers and c. 1832 for the Reverend John Rogers; extended 1863 by William Webb for John Jope Rogers; remodelled 1867; buttery added 1868 and centre of the elevation towards Loe Pool re-built 1927–28.
In 1771 the Penrose Estate was bought into the family by Hugh Rogers for £11,000. The last heir to the Penrose family estate, sold the estate to John Rogers, who became squire of Penrose. The Estate extended as far as "Sithney side" of what is now Porthleven harbour. In 1974 much of the Estate was gifted to the National Trust by Lieutenant Commander John Peverell Rogers (1925-2012), which comprises of over 1500 acres of farmland and woods, cottages, four miles of coastline and the Loe Pool.
HMS 'Anson' was wrecked on 29th December 1807. Trapped by a lee shore off Loe Bar, she hit the rocks and between 60 and 190 men were killed. The subsequent treatment of the recovered bodies of drowned seamen caused controversy, and led to the Burial of Drowned Persons Act 1808.
Charles Rogers (1987-2018) who inherited the estate, died in August 2018, apparently without an heir.
In May 2019, Jordan Adlard Rogers proved he was the son of the previous owner, by a DNA test, and inherited the estate.
The National Trust maintain the Estate as an area of great natural beauty, it is a wonderful place for walking and cycling as it has miles of paths and is a bird watchers paradise.
There is a pay & display car park (National Trust members free) at Gunwalloe. And car parks at Penrose Hill, Degibna and Chyvaloe (National Trust). Seasonal cafe at the stables in the parkland (not National Trust).
The National Trust has a hassle-free bunkhouse accommodation at Penrose for those who want to spend more time exploring the Cornish coast than indoors.
Although the grounds and the Loe Pool are always open, the house is in private ownership and not open to the public.
The Stables Cafe is ideally positioned half way between Porthleven and Helston. With views across open park land the cafe is a great spot to 'in flight' refuel. The cafe has a small range of sandwiches and of course Origin coffee, home-made cakes & Roskilly's ice cream.
Half a mile east of Porthleven off the B3304.
Opening TimesEvery day Admission Free |
National Trust Properties Helston Lizard Peninsula Porthleven The Coastal Footpath